Carton blank



May 7, 1963 M. B. RASMUSSON CARTON BLANK Filed July 15, 1959 INVENTOR. M420 6! Ins/105.50

BY 425 rzaj United States Patent 3,88,fi5l Patented May 7, 1963 3,088,651 CARTGN BLANK Marlin B. Rasmussen, Sacramento, Calif, assignor to Vitafreze Equipment, Inc, Sacramento, Caiiil, a corporation of California Filed July 13, 1959, Ser. No. 826,521 1 Claim. (Cl. 2293) My invention relates to enclosures usually fabricated of paper or fiberboard or the like and capable of being erected from flat form into a suitable container. Devices of this sort are customarily used for packaging various products, and in the present instance the carton is now commercially utilized for enclosing frozen confections on sticks. It is desirable in this use to provide a suitable enclosure which will not involve any fastenings other than interlocks and adhesives, and a minimum of them, yet which when once filled and closed and sealed will be substantially tamper-proof.

Multiple packs of frozen confections are customarily made available in markets and are preferably sold sealed with their entire contents intact. Partly because of the nature of the goods, difiiculty has been experienced with packages which can readily be sprung or distorted or somehow opened Without breaking the closure for the unauthorized extraction of one or more of the articles contained. When the package is restored to its original condition after the pilferage, it is diflicult, if not impossible, by a normal inspection to determine the fact of shortness of content.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a package which is particularly useful in connection with items of the sort mentioned, which can be simply sealed by adhesive at one point, yet is virtually tamper-proof or pilfer-proof without grossly disfiguring or destroying the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton blank which can readily be formed from the usual material without wastage and can be readily erected and charged with the desired content, and which especially can be easily and quickly sealed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton blank which when erected forms a carton, the individual portions of which remain firmly interlocked with each other against substantial dislodging forces.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved carton blank.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan of a carton blank fabricate d pursuant to the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a detail view showing in side elevation, with portions of the carton being broken away, the carton blank of the invention in process of erection.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view showing the carton blank erected far enough to receive the intended contents.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the carton in its position after the contents have been loaded and with the top approaching closed positlon.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of a completely erected and closed carton.

While the carton of the invention is, of course, adaptable to many different uses and can be embodied in various proportions and sizes and of varying materials, it has been commercially utilized as shown herein and as constructed of a sheet of standard, planar fiberboard of moderate thickness. The sheet material is divided by various different rules into different sections. There is primarily provided a base panel 7 of generally rectangular contour and partially defined by a pair of longitudinal score lines 8 and 9. The base panel is likewise defined by a pair of transverse score lines 11 and 12 conveniently disposed perpendicular to the lines 8 and 9 so that the base panel 7 is truly rectangular. In one convenient illustration, the proportions of the parts are substantially as shown in FIGURE 1.

Adjacent the longitudinal score line 8, there is provided a first side panel 13 separated from the base panel 7 by the longitudinal score line 8 and also defined by end score lines 14 and 16 which are substantial continuations of the transverse score lines 11 and 12. The first side panel 13 has adjacent to it a first flange panel 17 separated from the first side panel 13 by a first flange score line 18 parallel to the longitudinal score line 8. The flange panel 17 is outlined by a longitudinal edge 19 and inclined miter boundaries 21 and 22 usually disposed substantially at forty-five degrees to the edge 19 and terminating at their intersection with the score lines 14 and 16.

Also adjacent to the first side panel 13 are a pair of first side tab panels 23 and 24. These are separated from the first side panel 13 by the score lines 14 and 16, respectively. Since the panels 23 and 24 are identical except for symmetry, the description of one applies equally to the other.

The first side tab panel 23, for example, is defined along one outer edge 26 by a virtually straight line which is approximately a continuation of the score line 18 but is inclined inwardly slightly with respect thereto. The edge 26 merges in a smooth curve 27 with an end edge 28 extending virtually parallel to the score line 14 and disposed a distance from the score line 14 which is somewhat more than the height of the first side panel 13. A straight edge 29 is disposed in a re-entrant fashion at right angles to the edge 28 and merges through a curve 31 with a bounding edge 32 of a slot 33. The other side edge 34 of the notch curves into an angle edge 36 extending to the intersection of the score lines 8 and 11. Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, each tab has a body portion 35 adjacent the side panel and a locking head 35a at the outer end of said tab connected by a neck portion 3512 at the slot 33.

Similarly disposed on the other side of the base panel 7 is a second side panel 38, separated from the base panel 7 by the score line 9 and being partly defined by score lines 39 and 4-1 constituting virtual extensions of the score lines 11 and 12. Adjacent to the second side panel 38 is a second flange panel 42, separated from the second end panel by a second flange score line 43 parallel to the score line 9. The second flange panel 42 is bounded by an outer edge 44 and corner edges 46 and 47 in symmetry with the first flange panel 17.

Also, the second side panel 38 is provided with a pair of second side tab panels 48 and 49 which are separated from the second side panel 38 by the score lines 39 and 41 and are shaped precisely as described in connection with the panel 23 except for symmetry.

Adjacent the score line 11, there is provided a front panel 52 separated from the base panel 7 by the score line 11 and partly defined by end edges 53 and 54 which are respectively substantial continuations of the longitudinal score lines 8 and 9. Situated alongside the front panel 52 is a front flange 56 separated from the front panel 52 by a score line 57 parallel to the transverse score line 11. The front flange 56 is likewise defined by a front edge 58 parallel to the score line 57 and by beveled corner edges 59 and 61 disposed at substantially forty-five de grees to the front edge 58 and merging substantially with 3 the intersections of the edges 53 and 54 with the score line 57.

Particularly in accordance with the invention, there is provided in the front panel 52 and in the front flaneg 56 and extending across the front score. line 57 means forming slits 63. and 64 extending entirely through the material of the carton blank. Since the slits 63 and 64. are substantially identical except for symmetry, the description of one applies equally to. the other.

The. slit 63- is of a Width great enough to receive the thickness of the material of which the carton blank is formed and. at itsinner end is provided with a slight hooklike extension 66 and at its outer end is provided with a transverse portion 67. substantially at, right angles to the body portionv of the slit 63.. The distance of the slit from the edge 53. is substantially equal to the distance of the slot 33v from the fold line 14. The length of the slit 63 from the. fold line 57. to and including the hook-like extension 66 is substantially the same as the distance transversely across thev first side tab panel 23 from the slot 33 to the edge 26. The total length of the slit 63 from the extremity of the transverse portion 67. to the extremity of the hook 66 is suflicient so that the edges 27, 23 and 29 of the first side tab panel 23, can readily be passed there through.

Adjoining the base panel 7 on the other side of the score. line 12 is a rear panel 71 also defined by longitudinal. edges 72 and 73 which are, in effect extensions of the longitudinal score lines 8 and 9. The rear panel 71 is also. defined by a score line 74 parallel to the score line 12.

A top panel 76 adjoins the rear panel 71 on the opposite side of the score line 74 and is itself bounded also by. longitudinal edges 77 and 78 which are virtual continnations of the score lines 8 and 9. The top panel 76 and the rear panel 71 together contain second means forming slits 31 and 82. These slits are pierced entirely through the material of the carton blank and extend; across the score line 74. The second slits 81 and 8 2 are virtually identical with the first slits 63 and 64 as to positioning and dimensions and operate in the same way.

Adjoining the top panel 76 is a sealing panel 84 separated fro-m the top panel by a transverse score line 86 parallel to the score line 74. The sealing panel is likewise. bounded by an edge 87 parallel to the score line 86. This merges smoothly with side edges 88 and 89 which constitute virtual continuations of the edges 77 and 78.

In the erection of the carton in accordance with the invention, the front panel 52 with its attached parts and the rear panel 71 with its attached parts are first rotated upwardly until they both stand substantially normal to the base panel 7 and in planes parallel to each other. Thereafter, the first side tab panels 23 and 24 are rotated upwardly toward each other until they are substantially normal to the first side panel 13. Similarly, the second side tab panels 48 and 49 of the second side panel 38 are themselves rotated upwardly until they both stand substantially normal to the original plane of the second side panel 38.

One or the other of the side panels, or both simultaneously, are then rotated about the fold lines 8 and 9 so that the leading edges 28 and even 29 of the first side tab panels 23 and 24 and of the second side tab panels 48 and 49 swing into the slits 63 and 64 and into the slits 81 and 82, the material of the upstanding front panel 52 with its attached front flange 56 and the material of the rear panel 71 and its attached top panel 76 being slightly distorted, as shown in FIGURE 2, so, that the tabs can be introduced interiorly of the panels 52 and 71.

In this stage of erection of the structure, the parts appear substantially as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The carton as thus partially erected can easily be restored to its flat condition from this stage if it is desired to do so. The interengagement between the walls of the slot 33 and the walls of the hook-like extension 66 of the slit is sufficient to hold the box in temporary, partially erected position for any ordinary use, although the interengagement as so far described is by no means pilfer-proof.

The carton as partially erected, as shown in FIGURE 3, is usually at this stage filled with the material to be enclosed. Preferably, the material substantially fills the volume available up to the score lines 18 43, 57 and 74. When the material has been packed into the freely open, partially erected carton, the front flange 56 is rotated or folded about the fold line 57 in an interior direction so that it is substantially in a plane parallel to the bottom panel 7, and in this position the front flange 56 not only overlies the adjacent content of the carton but also overlies the upper portion, or edge, 26 of the immediately subjacent side tab panels 23 and 48.

The side flange panels 17 and 42- are also folded inwardly, and finally the top panel 76 with its attachments is folded downwardly along the fold line 74 not only to overlie the contents of the carton but also so that the rearward portion of the top panel 76 immediately overlies the upper edges 26 of the side tab panels '24 and 49. This position of the carton is substantially illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Finally, the top panel 76 is lowered as far as possible with the panel 34 overlapping and being disposed in front of the central portion of the front panel 52'and over the exposed portion of the side tab panels 23 and 48. Suitable adhesive is interposed between the facing portionsof the panel 84 and the subjacent portion of the carton, especially the central part of the front panel 52. When the adhesive has set, the carton is held or sealed closed and is substantially. pilfer-proof. It is especially to be noted that the top panel 76 overlies the side tab panels 24 and 49 so that they cannot be pulled, rotated or lifted out of the slits 81 and 82. The flange panels 17 and 42 extend inwardly far enough over the contents so that the possible space to be obtained between such flange panels and the top panel due. to springing the package is not suflicient to permit withdrawal of one of the frozen con fections inside.

Not only does the front flange 56 make it impossible to rotate or otherwise withdraw the front side tab panels 23 and 481 from the slits 63 and 64 but, in addition, the top panel 76 reinforces the front flange 56, as does the sealing panel 84. The carton when closed, as shown in FIG- URE 5, is therefore substantially pilfer-proof and cannot be sprung or disconnected in any way to permit the removal of the contents short of actually tearing and mutilating the material of the carton. 7

What is claimed is:'

A carton comprising a rectangular base panel, and front, rear and side panels foldably connected to said base panel, a top panel foldably connected along a fold line to said rear panel opposite said base panel, a' sealing panel foldably connected to said top panel opposite said rear panel, a front flange foldably connected along a fold line to said front panel opposite the point of connection of said base panel to said front panel, an d a side tab foldably connected to each end edge of said side panels, said side tabs having a recess intermediate their length defining a body and a locking head separated by a slotted neck portion of reduced width, said front and rear panels each having slits in spaced parallel relation adjacent to each side edge, each slit being of a length less than the width of said locking head and having an extension extending across said fold lines into said front flangeand top panels respectively, said side tabs being insertable through the respective slits when said front flange and top panel are respectivelycoplanar with said front and rear panels to position said neck portion 'in the slit, whereby said side tabs are positively locked in engagement with said front and rear panels when said front flange and top panel are folded over said front and rear panels to a non coplanar position preventing upward rotation of said 'side tabs and reducing the combined length of the slit and the slit extension to less than the width of the penetrating locking head, and said locking head being deflected inwardly so that the edges of the slotted neck portion lockingly engage over edges of said slits in the front and rear panels, said sealing panel foldably overlapping said front panel and said body portions of said side tabs and being adapted to be adhesively fixed thereto, and said carton being substantially pilfer-proof when said sealing panel is adhesively fixed to said front panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Meller July 28, 1953 Buttery Apr. 13, 1954 Goebel Mar. 15, 1955 Barrington et al. Oct. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Mar. 9, 1936 

